As a natural art gallery under the Banyan Tree Forest, “Treetopia Park” is adjacent to the Guangzhou Chimelong Tourism Resort (Chimelong Wild Animal World, Chimelong Water Park, and Chimelong Happy World), and will shoulder the social responsibility of protecting animals and the ecological environment together with them.
Biodiversity is an essential foundation for the survival and development of humankind. As the global rate of species extinction continues to accelerate, there is an urgent need to strengthen the protection of biodiversity and to build a “community of life between human beings and nature”, which has profound implications.
In the Treetopia Park, we redefine urban nature parks, condensing the diverse local ecosystems under the centuries-old banyan trees in Guangzhou in the form of natural science and art interaction, creating an urban nature and art park that combines museum exploration and nature study.
The Boat of Life
Banyan trees are trees found everywhere in Guangzhou, carrying the city’s historical memory and cultural lineage, nostalgic memories of people, and tree companionship and prosperity; each banyan tree is also the best shelter for animals.
Preserving and protecting the original century-old banyan tree on the site, we create a forest theatre with the Life Boat – using logs to build two boats with bird’s nest texture, the Life Boat is staggered to climb among the banyan tree, which contains the secret of the banyan tree’s growth underneath.
The Life Boat is also a place for nature classes, with craft activities, nature studies, topography workshops and other “Darwin Campsite” classes taking place on the interactive long table.
Friends of all sizes can get to know the White-rumped Munia, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Spotted Dove and other local birds on the tabletop by means of topography; and they can also observe the fruits collected under the banyan tree with the science magnifying glass built under the drawer of the long table.
Various small animal-shaped benches seem to be special guests of the Forest Theatre, but also in their own way to encourage children to social dialogue, interactive exploration, in line with the children’s scale and operating ability level of the horn, as well as full of the desire to explore the shape of the children to reap the benefits of the surprise of ubiquitous.
Kaleidoscope, Abyssal Mirror, Balsam Fir Science, Flip Page Album, we present the ecosystem under the banyan tree through various art interactions and art science in the form of species displays, encouraging children and adults to go out and learn about nature.
Dream Jungle Island
In order to simulate the natural state of water birds, we restore the look of water bird habitats through natural-coloured bird nests, netting ropes, stakes, swinging bridges and laying nets, so that children can touch, explore and play here.
As the children navigate through lying nets, swinging bridges, thick ropes, and stakes of varying heights, their grip and balance are honed and improved, and interaction and socialisation amongst the children is enhanced.
On the top, different species of birds – black-faced spoonbills, cormorants, green herons and night herons – are staying. Among them, the Black-faced Spoonbill is a Grade II national protected animal, and we present it flying in the wind with a wind-activated interactive device.
These play areas, completely dissolved in nature, provide children with an immersive natural playground where they can have the freedom to explore and play in the purest of environments.
Banyan Tree Secret Base
“It’s called the Embroidery-eyed Bird because of its white eye ring” and “Did you know? The finch-weaver bird, which likes to eat plant seeds the most, is a little nest weaver.” …… A big banyan tree hides many secrets of nature underneath.
We hang the “Bird’s Nest” under the Banyan Tree, and with the interactive rope pulling and nature signage, it forms a nature lesson under the Banyan Tree. The Banyan Tree is a sanctuary for birds, but it is also a place for humans to listen to nature and talk to it.
There is also a “Darwin Campsite” seed station, where we hide fruits and seeds in the benches. While you are looking up at the bird’s nest, don’t forget to look down at the different types of seeds.
Wonderful Banyan Forest
In the magical world of nature and the long evolution of species, the banyan tree has developed a special and intimate relationship with small animals. And it is as if the small animals are whispering under the banyan tree once in a while.
There exists a synergistic evolutionary relationship between banyan trees, banyan wasps and game ants that has lasted for millions of years. So, we made the banyan fruit into a sound device, when you throw a small stone into the small hole of the banyan fruit, the banyan fruit will emit a series of marvellous sounds, as if singing.
We also made the banyan bee and game meat ants into “big toys”, and children and adults can perceive the magic of nature in a fun and educational way.
Starry Sky Treasure Hunting Park
Like a secret garden where children can chase and run around and camp with their families on the large lawn, it is both a natural theatre and a healing garden, and hides a lot of knowledge about plants and the footprints of small animals in all shapes and sizes.
Surrounded by greenery and the sounds of nature, sustaining the small scale of loved ones, the small knowledge of plants growing in the land, or tucked away in inconspicuous corners of the grove waiting to be discovered ……
CR Land’s “Darwin Campsite” has also invited star animals from the Chimelong Safari Park to leave their footprints in the secret garden. Footprints of different sizes and shapes are not only the best way to observe the critters, but also an important part of the study programme – the experience of foot print topography.
We follow the natural attributes of the basis, to provide maximum space for children to play freely according to their own ideas, older friends are willing to spend more time to come outdoors into the nature, dialogue with nature, and regain the connection with nature.
Conclusion
City parks are an important part of the urban green space system. We hope that the Banyan Grove Nature Discovery Park will not only protect and restore the local ecosystem, but also promote the participation of all people in the ecosystem and understand the true meaning of the “community of life between human beings and nature”.
CR LAND·Park Lane Complex “Treetopia Park”
Location: Hanxi Avenue East, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province
Design/completion time: 2023.6/2023.10
Client: CR LAND
Children’s venue planning, art installation design, and landing: antao·AHA
Site construction unit: Guangzhou Huayuan Garden Co., LTD
Photography: Chenbi Photography Studio